Three Ingredients For A Healthy Scalp & Beautiful Hair

This Post is sponsored by Head & Shoulders and SheKnows Media.

Every black woman wants beautiful hair.  Whether you crave length, fullness or just healthy strands, all too often the focus stays on the hair and not on the scalp that houses those delicate strands. The scalp is our hair’s foundation and like any other structure, a weak or damaged foundation can create havoc or damage to all other components.

Many black women suffer from scalp issues from dryness to flaking. According to a recent study, 71% of black women said they experienced or were concerned with itch, dryness or flaking in the past month.*^[1]  These real issues must be addressed but addressed correctly and not just covered up.

In order to address our scalp needs, some black women have developed coping mechanisms that are not the most effective solutions to scalp issues. From pouring oil directly on the scalp to scratching incessantly, these short-term solutions are not addressing the underlying problem causing the dry or itchy scalp. These scalp issues are caused by the skin responding to a fungus that’s present on the scalp and there are certain products and  ingredients that address the fungus and provide relief.  I wanted to share some amazing ingredients that not only promote a healthy scalp, but give way to more beautiful hair.

Caffeine
I have often discussed the benefits of caffeine for hair growth and positive hair structure, but caffeine is also an asset to your scalp. Caffeine is a stimulate that naturally occurs in some foods. This substance stimulates our central nervous system and can be found in over 60 plants. I often use a hair rinse with either black tea or coffee during wash day to stimulate and increase blood flow to my scalp which aids in hair growth and even thwarting hair shedding.

Glycerin
Glycerin is a conditioning alcohol and humectant designed to draw moisture in and retain it. Glycerin is water-soluble and this colorless, scentless, thick liquid is often used in hair and skin care products because of its moisturizing properties.

Zinc Pyrithione (ZPT)

Zinc Pyrithione, considered the world’s #1 anti-dandruff ingredient is a coordination complex of the zinc ion and pyrithione. Pyrithione has antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-seborrheic effects^[1], and all three attributes help maintain a healthy scalp. Zinc is an essential nutrient that’s believed to be a vital mineral for healthy hair. ZPT treats the symptoms of dandruff while also tackling the cause (the fungus) and prevents the symptoms from reappearing.

All three ingredients help keep the scalp healthy, and when combined, they not only rid the scalp of issues like flaking and dryness, but moisturize and help maintain a healthier scalp. Since the scalp is the starting point by which your hair grows, the quality of your hair is a manifestation of the health of your scalp. Any debris, oil, sebum and sweat on your head can prevent growing healthy, beautiful hair.  That’s why maintaining a healthy scalp is so important.  .

Head & Shoulders has a  product with all three of these powerful ingredients. The Clinical Solutions Leave-On Treatment  provides daily dandruff protection and dry itchy skin relief. It’s a spray that can be used out-of-the-shower for fast-acting relief from scalp issues in between washes.  If you are big on  ingredients, you will love that this leave-on treatment  has glycerin and caffeine, plus ZPT to fight itch, dryness and flaking.

I’ve suffered from dandruff when I was relaxed and even when I first went natural and believe in using certain ingredients to get rid of it.  I also prevent itch by keeping my scalp and hair healthy and clean. I believe and discuss DIY hair and scalp remedies but also use and believe in drugstore products that scientists have spent years developing  to help us maintain healthy hair. There is a science to beautiful hair and starting with the scalp is the right pathway to achieving it.

Sabrina

^[1]*Source: H&S internal consumer study